The Scientific MethodSyllabus - Fall 2016 |
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NOTE: readings from Browne and Keeley are from the 11th edition. If you have the 10th edition, please be aware that the chapters may not correspond. Use this conversion chart.
DATE | TOPIC | READING, QUIZZES AND HOMEWORK |
---|---|---|
Aug 22 M Lecture # 1 | Introduction | Start reading Browne & Keeley, 11th ed. (B&K) |
24 W Lecture # 2 | Induction and Deduction | Continue reading B&K |
26 F Lecture # 3 | The Scientific Method; Magic | Quiz on preface, chapter 1 of B&K: part 1, part 2 |
29 M Lecture # 4 | Science vs Pseudoscience | Quiz on chapters 2 and 3 of B&K |
31 W Lecture # 5 | Choosing a Paper Topic | Quiz on chapter 4 of B&K |
Sep 02 F Lecture # 6 | Using the Libraries; Sylvia George-Williams from CUL | Homework #1 due by 11:00AM |
05 Holiday | ||
07 W Lecture # 7 | Assumptions | Quiz on chapter 5 of B&K |
09 F Lecture # 8 | Pseudoscience and Evidence | Homework #2 due by 11:00AM |
12 M Lecture # 9 | Bermuda Triangle | Quiz on chapter 6 of B&K |
14 W Lecture #10 | UFOs | Quiz on chapter 7 of B&K |
16 F Lecture #11 | More UFOs | Midterm paper's claim, abstract, outline, and sources due by 11:00AM |
19 M Lecture #12 | More UFOs - finish Roswell | Quiz on chapter 8 of B&K |
21 W Lecture #13 | Causation | Quiz on chapters 9 and 10 of B&K |
23 F Lecture #14 | Scientific Thinking and Dr. Snow | 3-page Book review #1 due by 11:00AM |
26 M Lecture #15 | Creationism | Quiz on chapters 11 and 12 of B&K |
28 W Lecture #16 | Intelligent Design; Dr. John Wise, SMU Biology | Quiz on foreword through chapter 2 of Sagan |
30 F Lecture #17 | Creationism | Homework #3 due by 11:00AM |
Oct 03 M Lecture #18 | Hoaxes | Quiz on chapters 3 and 4 of Sagan |
05 W Lecture #19 | More Hoaxes | Quiz on chapters 5 and 6 of Sagan |
07 F Lecture #20 | Two Significant Hoaxes | Research paper due by 11:00AM |
10 M Fall Break | ||
12 W Lecture #21 | Astrology | Quiz on chapters 7 and 8 of Sagan |
14 F Lecture #22 | Astrology | Quiz on They See Dead People, Or Do They? |
17 M Lecture #23 | Experimental Reproducibility | Quiz on chapters 9 and 10 of Sagan |
19 W Lecture #24 | Experimental Reproducibility | Quiz on chapters 11 and 12 of Sagan |
21 F Lecture #25 | Psychics | Homework #4 due by 11:00AM |
24 M Lecture #26 | Psychics | Quiz on chapters 13 and 14 of Sagan |
26 W Lecture #27 | Psychics | Quiz on chapters 15 and 16 of Sagan |
28 F Lecture #28 | Near Death Experiences | Homework #5 due by 11:00AM |
31 M Lecture #29 | Afterlife? | Quiz on chapters 17 and 18 of Sagan |
Nov 02 W Lecture #30 | Talking to the Dead | Quiz on chapters 19 and 20 of Sagan |
04 F Lecture #31 | Talking to the Dead | |
07 M Lecture #32 | Talking to the Dead | Quiz on chapters 1 and 2 of Battersby |
09 W Lecture #33 | Propaganda | Quiz on chapters 3 and 4 of Battersby |
11 F Lecture #34 | Propaganda | |
14 M Lecture #35 | Propaganda | Quiz on chapters 5 and 6 of Battersby |
16 W Lecture #36 | Unintended Consequences | Quiz on chapters 7 and 8 of Battersby |
18 F Lecture #37 | Probabilistic Fallacies | Midterm paper rewrites due by 11:00AM |
21 M Lecture #38 | Probabilistic Fallacies | Quiz on chapters 9 and 10 of Battersby |
23 W No classes | ||
25 F Thanksgiving |   |   (burppp...); |
28 M Lecture #39 | Eyewitness Testimony | Quiz on chapters 11 and 12 of Battersby |
Dec 30 W Lecture #40 | Eyewitness Testimony | Quiz on chapter 13 of Battersby |
02 F Lecture #41 | Scams and Swindles | 3-page Book review #2 due by 11:00 AM |
05 M Lecture #42 | Survey; CFB Evaluations | Homework #6 due by 11:00AM |
08 R Final Exam | 1130-1430 in room 153 Fondren Science |